V4 & Romania - Central European Times

For industrialised, export-oriented CEE countries, the EU–Mercosur agreement is incrementally beneficial

5 min read V4 & Romania, European Union, Mercosur, agriculture, trade, bioeconomy, Comprehensive Agreement on Investment

Only Poland has strong structural reasons for concern, while Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia stand to benefit from expanded industrial exports.

Fake crypto investment scandal in Poland: Many lost their entire life savings

2 min read Poland, fraud, cryptocurrency, V4 & Romania

Using fake advertisements featuring real public figures, they defrauded hundreds of people, in some cases of sums running into several million.

Slovakia’s new criminal code sparks constitutional challenge and ethnic tensions

2 min read V4 & Romania, Slovakia, Beneš Decrees, Constitutional Court, Hungary, Boris Susko, László Gubík, Maroš Žilinka, Viktor Orban

Slovakia’s new criminal code triggered a constitutional challenge by the country’s Prosecutor General and ignited controversy at home and abroad.

Shadow of a solider in front of the American and Venezuelan flag

Seismic shift in Venezuela – How it could affect Central and Eastern Europe

3 min read V4 & Romania, Donald Trump, venezuel, Politics, Economy, Energy, oil, European Union, EU sanctions

The aftermath of Trump’s Venezuela move remains unclear, but CEE states are likely to be impacted indirectly by oil prices and EU sanctions.

Man turns dice to 2026. Source: Getty Images

What’s next in 2026 for Central and Eastern Europe?

3 min read V4 & Romania, 2026, Economy, Politics, geopolitics

Can CEE develop a realistic policy response that shields the region from Europe’s structural decline?

The Polish miracle: How did the “Poor man of Europe” become an economic leader?

3 min read V4 & Romania, Poland, Economy, Hungary, Romania, Market reforms, EU funds, Fiscal policy, demographics

Poland’s economic success lies in consistent reforms and smart EU fund use, while Hungary and Romania followed more volatile development paths.

Small map of Czechia and some Czech krone bills in the background

Czechia starts the year under provisional budget as new government reworks fiscal plans

2 min read V4 & Romania, Czech Republic, ANO, Budget, Economy, Andrej Babis

New year, new fiscal rules: The Czech Republic has entered a period of provisional budgeting after the new coalition rejected its predecessor's draft.

New waste incinerator: Warsaw follows the Scandinavian model

1 min read Poland, V4 & Romania, waste incinerator

Warsaw has opened the city’s new waste-to-energy plant, which can incinerate over 300,000 tons of solid waste annually, nearly one-third of the city’s total waste production.